Unmasking the Impostor
The case for leaning into impostor syndrome, instead of attempting to overcome it.
As a business coach, the topic of impostor syndrome comes up at the beginning of almost every conversation with other entrepreneurs, both seasoned and new. Interestingly, impostor syndrome is also becoming a popular topic of conversation as it relates to relationships, goal-setting, education, and so much more. It’s an uncomfortable feeling for those who experience it: uncontrollably casting self-doubt about one’s competence, confidence, and success. The concept is most often framed negatively, as if impostor syndrome is something to overcome.
But I challenge you to reframe that line of thinking, because impostor syndrome is actually a key indicator of both current and future success. Without impostor syndrome, we remain stagnant in our growth, because, at its core, impostor syndrome is the belief that we could be better somehow.
What is impostor syndrome?
Impostor syndrome is essentially the belief that others overestimate your competence, causing self-doubt and fear of being perceived as a fraud, despite evidence to the contrary. But I would argue that it’s not really a syndrome, rather, it’s merely a thought process. And — perhaps unsurprisingly, given the nature of this newsletter —thought processes are subject to change.
Experiencing impostor thoughts is often indicative of being attuned to other people’s feelings and perceptions. Your concern about how you’re being perceived by others leads you to adapt accordingly. It’s an expression of humility instead of narcissism; productivity instead of complacency.
The Advantages of Impostor Thoughts
The ability to identify that there is always more to learn is critical to personal growth and development. This is the key factor that makes impostor thoughts a healthy and welcome experience — when we question our own authority and expertise, we are identifying that there is something that we don’t know, leading to greater learning opportunities and chances to adapt.
While the experience may feel uncomfortable, it’s important to recognize that impostor thoughts are foundational for the development of ambition, curiosity, open-mindedness, a strong work ethic, self-awareness, effective communication and interpersonal skills, humility, sensitivity, compassion, and empathy.
The Challenges Caused by Impostor Thoughts
It would be remiss to only discuss the advantages of impostor thoughts without acknowledging the potential pitfalls. One of the primary risks is increased anxiety about performance, out of fear of being discovered as a fraud. This fear might compel you to overwork (which can be detrimental to your well-being) or exacerbate perfectionism; essentially, impostor thoughts can lead you to overcompensate by attempting to prove to yourself that you are indeed as competent as others believe you to be. Conversely, the feelings of inadequacy caused by impostor thoughts could lead you to reduce your engagement, or even give up entirely, in order to diminish opportunity for perceived failure. However, if you are able to recognize these potential pitfalls, it will be easier to embrace the impostor thoughts more positively.
How to Embrace Impostor Thoughts
The first step in learning to embrace impostor thoughts is getting comfortable admitting when you don’t know something, which is often no easy task. But something interesting happens when you can do so: admitting when you don’t know something actually bolsters the validity of what you say you do know.
Better yet, getting comfortable admitting when you’re wrong about something further validates your authority, as it demonstrates your adaptability and willingness to learn.
Additionally, when you feel that someone else is overestimating your competence, it’s wise to take a few minutes to reflect on the self-perceived deficit, which will enable and encourage you to ask more questions and seek out the missing knowledge that will fortify your competence, and thus your confidence.
Growth (personal and professional) happens when you learn to channel the discomfort of impostor thoughts into motivation to seek out mastery performance.
Calls to Action
If you’re experiencing impostor thoughts in any aspect of your life, I encourage you to make an effort to surround yourself with people who know more than you do (in that particular aspect, and otherwise). Observe and listen. Pay attention to the competence level others have identified in you (especially if it doesn’t align with how competent you perceive yourself). Seek out the knowledge required to fill any gaps you discover. Ask more questions. Admit when you don’t know something, or when you learn you were wrong. Embrace the self-doubt and morph it into the fuel you need to maximize your personal growth journey.
I’m really glad you’re here,
J
PS: This is my first newsletter that’s not related to college counseling1. I’m still finding my footing and I appreciate your patience as I figure this out. I’ve officially made the decision to modify Subject to Change to be a bi-monthly newsletter instead of a weekly newsletter (and Narrative Musings will be shared in the off weeks). Look at us, getting into the swing of things! I genuinely want this to be fun and helpful for you, so — per the nature of this beast and in the spirit of improvement — please consider engaging by:
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Learning to ask more questions—and to admit what I don't know—has been a game changer for me. Love this reframe of impostor syndrome as an opportunity both to learn and to get better.